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Feature

SOFIA Airborne Astronomy Ambassador program manager (left) Pamela Harman, and teachers Margaret Piper from Lincoln Way High School in Frankfort, Il. (center) and Kathleen Fredette from Desert Willow Intermediate School in Palmdale, Calif., stand before the SOFIA telescope prior to flying aboard the observatory last June. (NASA / Carla Thomas)

Although the deadline for educators to submit applications for Cycle 1 of NASA's 2012-2013 Airborne Astronomy Ambassador (AAA) program on the SOFIA flying observatory has now passed, interested teachers are encouraged to submit applications for Cycle 2 of the program in the fall of 2012.

The SOFIA is a highly modified Boeing 747SP aircraft carrying a 2.5 meter-diameter telescope dedicated to infrared astronomical research. AAA program participants will fly on overnight missions, at altitudes of up to 45,000 feet.

The SOFIA Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors program AAA aims to

Enhance Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math education in communities across the U.S.

Support NASA’s goal of inspiring the next generation of explorers.

Contribute to general public understanding of the value of scientific research.

Foster national and international visibility of the SOFIA program’s achievements and discoveries.

Help the SOFIA scientific staff promote SOFIA to the astronomy research community.

Educators selected for the program will be required to develop or modify existing materials and implement SOFIA-based classroom and informal education curriculum components and plan and implement an outreach component of their design and choice.